As has become customary post-workshop, I’m pleased to present the report from the Chicago Making Outstanding Images Workshop and San Francisco Masterclass in early September this year. Following the previous London and Havana reports, I’d like to share some of the best images from my students instead of showing too many photographs of people photographing – I think those aren’t quite as demonstrative of what can be achieved in just a few days. Since next year’s workshop schedule is still very much open, I’m going to finish up with a poll to see where you’d like me to go next.

Following the positive reception to the Havana Masterclass report’s slight change of format – now showing student images instead of lots of photographs of people shooting (though that album is here on flickr) – I’ve decided this should be the format from now on; also to give my students due credit for the hard work put in and the excellent images made*.

*Though I don’t want to embarrass anybody in particular by naming names; I’m just posting images and letting the anonymous claim responsibility if they wish :)

I struggled to find an appropriate image to go with this article. I think this works, though: firstly, it was shot with an iPhone, on an occasion I could not foresee doing any photography. But having an open mind and an active eye meant that I saw it; experience/ practice meant that I could make do with the bare minimum, and enjoying cigars meant that I was in the right place at the right time to begin with. All will be explained towards the end of the article…

Don’t worry. Despite the slightly off-topic title, it’s very much a post about photography. This isn’t a moment of existential angst, but rather a clarification of purpose. It isn’t quite the same as article on Why We Photograph from some time ago; it’s far more personal than that. On reflection, I think it’s very important to understand the motivations behind certain things so that a) we might do them better and b) we avoid doing things we don’t enjoy. Especially when there’s a choice.

Excerpt from Making Outstanding Images Ep.4 & 5: Exploring and Processing for style. More trailers are available here

We’re nearly out of vouchers for the birthday special – it looks like we’ll have to close the offer in a few hours if things continue at this rate, so please act fast if you’re sitting on the fence. Thank you all for the great response so far! Use the voucher MINGBIRTHDAY at the checkout to get $20 off any video or bundle. No limit on the number per person, but the total number of vouchers is limited. All gone! Thank you everybody!

Excerpt from Making Outstanding Images Ep.4 & 5: Exploring and Processing for style. More trailers are available here

Greetings from London – I’m currently in the middle of the Making Outstanding Images London workshop, but it’s my birthday so I’d like to celebrate by giving you all a little gift – a thank you for your support over the last couple of years. For the next week, using the voucher code MINGBIRTHDAY for $20 off any video or bundle on the teaching store. There’s no limit on the number of vouchers per person – use as many as you like in combination with whichever videos you wish – but the total number of vouchers is limited. First-come, first-served and valid for one week until 23.59 KL time (GMT+8) on the 25th of July 2014 – or the vouchers run out, whichever comes first. So if there are any videos you’ve been curious about, or need to complete your set, now’s the time :)

And as a gentle reminder, I’ve currently got one spot left for the popular San Francisco Masterclass in September due to one participant’s work schedule – won’t last for long though, I’m sure!

I’m going to break from tradition a bit – rather than me show you a whole bunch of photographs of my students photographing, I think it would be better to let the results speak for themselves: instead, most of my students have graciously agreed to share a few of their images and thoughts from the recent Havana Masterclass. It should give you a fairly good idea of exactly what we do during a Masterclass…

Due to scheduling conflicts of one of the participants, I’ve just had a place open up for the Making Outstanding Images Workshop in London, from 16-18 July. If you’re interested, please send me an email. More details are below the jump, and selected testimonials from previous workshops are at the bottom of this post. Thanks! MT

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